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Boarding Groups

All articles tagged with #boarding groups

business1 month ago•39 min saved

Southwest ends open seating, adds assigned seats with paid upgrades and new boarding order

Southwest will switch from open seating to assigned seats starting Tuesday, offering standard seats with optional paid upgrades (preferred and extra legroom) and optional priority boarding. A new eight-group boarding system will place passengers based on seat location, fare class, loyalty status and benefits, with those buying extra-legroom likely in Groups 1–2 and basic-fare travelers in Groups 6–8. Passengers needing extra space must purchase an extra seat in advance, with refunds dependent on availability and fare class. Gate-area changes will roll out in phases over about two months. The move, part of a broader push to boost profitability and align with other carriers, follows Southwest’s earlier shifts away from long-standing perks.

via Yahoo|

#airline-policy #assigned-seating #boarding-groups

business1 month ago•4 min saved

Southwest moves to assigned seating with eight-group boarding and paid upgrades

Southwest Airlines is ending its open-seating system and moving to assigned seats with an eight-group boarding process, offering standard, preferred and extra-legroom seats plus paid priority boarding; families of nine or fewer will be kept in the same boarding group, while passengers who don’t fit in a single seat must buy an extra seat in advance and refunds are not guaranteed; the rollout, supported by investor pressure, includes phased gate-area changes over about two months and marks a major shift in the carrier’s traditional perks.

via wtop.com|

#airline-policy #assigned-seating #boarding-groups

travel7 months ago•10 min saved

Southwest Airlines Introduces Assigned Seating and Boarding Groups in January

Southwest Airlines will introduce assigned seating and a new eight-group boarding process starting January 2026, replacing its traditional single-file line. Boarding priority will be based on fare class, elite status, credit card ownership, and additional options like purchasing priority boarding. The change aligns Southwest with industry standards, with the key to early boarding being the purchase or upgrade to extra legroom seats, especially since the airline no longer offers a first-class cabin. The new system aims to streamline boarding while still rewarding higher-paying and elite customers.

via The Points Guy|

#airline-policies #assigned-seating #boarding-groups